The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-07-09

all the trouble-awed and quieted by the strange sad scenes around her slipped timidly into the room.
 Eva sprang up with a glad cry and dropping on her knees, caught the child in her arms: 70, thank God !" she uttered fervently "that I have even one left"
 "Your husband is alive" Clarice said softly, laying her hand on the bowed head. Eva raised her eyes quickly.
 90 Clarice, say it againw she cried historically between smiles and tears. Dick alive! must go to him." And she rose to her feet trembling in every limb from the reaction of feeling.
 Clarice laid her hand gently on Eva's arm as she turned to leave the room.
 Wait one moment, dear. Richard is very seriously hurt, his head is cut badly and one leg is broken. It was long time before the doctors could re- store him to consciousness, but they think now with the best of care he may recover"
 Eva had sunk into chair her eyes fixed intently on the face of her friend as if every word were life or death to her.
 'If care can save him, then he shall surely live! How good God is to mel" she added fervently, the tears falling again, but this time like soft. summer rain.
 "And my baby, Clarice, will he live also?" She almost held her breath awaiting the reply. Clarice did not answer, only passed her arm around Eva and drew her head against her shoulder.
 "Clarice, tell me-" Eva pleaded, "is he dead !"
 "Yes, dear," Clarice said gently, her tears falling in sympathy for the be- reaved mother, ''he was dead before the doctors came; he must have died instantly"
 "No, he died in my arms :" Eva said with a sob. :" remember now, he gave one gasp as I took him up. o my baby! my baby." and she broke forth again into piteous sobs, and ris- ing started to leave the room.
 "One moment, please" Clarice said, again detaining her; "let me go first. He was asleep few moments ago, and the doctor left orders that he must not be disturbed"
 She left the room, and in few mo- ments returned and motioned Eva to follow her.
 "Be as calm as possible, dear," Clar- ice whispered as she left her. As the door closed softly behind her friend Eva stood still for moment at her husbands bedside. His head was we'll covered with bandages concealing the ugly wounds beneath; the eyes were closed and his face wore the pallor of death. Her heart grew faint within her, surely he would die, if not al- ready dead; and every unkind word she had spoken rose up before her like averaging spirits. How all the old love revived with ten-told power. He had never, even in their happiest days, seemed so ineXpressibly dear as at that moment! o, if God would but spare him, life-time of devotion should atone for ali past unkindness
 X quick sob broke from her. not withstanding her efforts at self-con- trol. Richards eyes unclosed. and with faint smile he held out his hand to her. Dropping on her knees by the side of the bed she laid her head beside his on the pillow. while his arm was passed fondly about her.
 70, Dick, forgive mel" she sobbed, forgetting all her caution. II shall never forgive myself! 1 will never speak an unkind word again, never. never, while I livew The sentences were broken and disjointed, uttered amidst sobs and tears.
 "There, there, dear," Richard said gently as he drew her face closer to him and kissed her tenderly. Then, with noble generosity, which seems part of some mems natures, he added kindly, "I was to blame: I should have been more thoughtful; I ought to have taken you out instead of go- ing off alone for my own pleasure. We will begin anew, now" He stopped, unable to finish the sentence.
 "Yes. 1 know. now Harry is dead. O my baby ! my baby '" she sobbed.
 Richards lips quivered and the heavy eyelids were pressed upon the pallid cheeks to repress the starting tears. He drew her closely to him and tenderly pressed her tear stained cheek against his own in mute sym pathy, but could utter no word.
 How very, very dear his beautiful boy had been to the young father, none but God might know.
 For a long time they were very quiet, Eva's sobs alone breaking the | stiffness, until at last those ceased and Richard said softly:
 "Evvie!"
 "Yes, dear?"